Police in northern Afghanistan say “the core” of a Taliban offensive in Kunduz Province has been destroyed and security forces are implementing a plan to block more militants from entering the country from Pakistan.

Police spokesman Sayed Sarwar Hussaini made the remarks on April 29 as security forces battled for a fifth day against a Taliban offensive that has brought militants within the city limits of the provincial capital, Kunduz, and four other areas of Kunduz Province.

RFE/RL’s correspondent in Kunduz confirmed that security forces were battling militants in the city’s northwestern district of Gul Tepa on April 29.

Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry says security forces have killed more than 200 militants since the Taliban launched its northern offensive on April 24.

It says 13 government troops have been killed.

Earlier, the ministry reported five police officers were captured and 28 others, including a police commander, were missing.